In this time of economic uncertainty, the 2008 Legislature addressed issues of importance to working families by making investments in our schools, housing, health care, public safety, environmental protection, and transportation, while prudently leaving $800 million in reserves. Some highlights include:We made our state's regressive tax structure fairer by starting a state sales tax rebate system for a portion of low-income working families. We enhanced school and college funding, and required setting of higher math standards and increased access to quality career and technical education programs to ensure our students' competitiveness in a global economy. And students will get fresh produce from local farmers with the Local Farms, Healthy Communities law.We're helping families avoid foreclosure by imposing a legal responsibility for mortgage brokers to act in the best interest of borrowers, and by tightening regulations to prevent foreclosure rescue scams. We also enhanced housing assistance for the homeless, seniors, individuals with disabilities and veterans. And we increased relocation assistance opportunities and time periods for tenants before having to move out when their apartments are converted to condos.We increased funding for low-income adult and senior dental services, long-term care, and children with developmental disabilities. We gave authority to the Insurance Commissioner for approving premium increases in the individual market and funded a citizens workgroup to solicit public opinion across the state on health care reform proposals.After the tragic murder of Rebecca Griego by her ex-boyfriend at the University of Washington last April, we passed my bills making it more practical for victims to serve their abusers with protection orders and requiring public colleges and universities to have campus safety plans.We made advances in environmental protection by establishing greenhouse gas emission limits and the creation of 25,000 green collar jobs by 2020. And we passed Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson's "toxic toys" legislation, limiting the manufacture and sales of children's products with high levels of lead and other toxins. In transportation, we maintained current projects and provided new funds for the 520 Bridge, state Route 2, the Alaskan Way Viaduct, ferry system, and suicide prevention barriers on the Aurora Bridge, and enacted general statewide tolling policies. We also added bicycle and pedestrian safety to driver training curriculum.Other important bills enacted expand domestic partnerships rights and allow public financing of local campaigns, and my bill that creates a statewide high-speed Internet deployment strategy for underserved populations. Budget-wise for local projects, we secured funding in the capital budget for the Hazel Heights P-Patch community garden, McCaw Hall, the Community Schools Grant Program by acquiring and renovating surplus schools, such as Loyal Heights and Phinney Neighborhood Center; and authorization for preconstruction for the new Nordic Heritage Museum. We also appropriated operating funds for the Pacific Science Center's exhibit, "Lucy's Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia," that will bring a huge economic benefit for the region.And, very poignantly, we celebrated Rep. Helen Sommers' stellar career and wished her well in her retirement. How she will be missed! Some major challenges for 2009 include reforming our health care and school finance systems, and establishing a funding source for our paid family leave insurance for parents of newborns and adopted children. [[In-content Ad]]
